The security guard unleashed his pepper spray, but the wind caused the spray to blow back into the guard's face. The victim took advantage of the guard's sudden incapacitation by punching him in the face, causing him to stagger backward, police said.

When the would-be shoplifter stepped forward to continue wailing on the guard twice his age, the guard pulled out his not-so-secret weapon and fired shots at the suspect, striking him once in the ankle, police said.

The suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment. Once he was released, police took him into custody.

Here's the full report from police:

Incident: Robbery 2nd (Shooting)

Location: 702 N. Kingshighway (Aldi's)

Date/Time: 05/18/14 @ 13:35

Victim:72-year old black male (Armed Security Guard)

Suspect: 41-year old black male

Officers responded to a "shooting" and upon arrival, located the suspect, who was
suffering from a gunshot wound to the ankle and reported that he was shot by a security
guard at the above location. Investigation revealed the suspect was leaving the store with
a cart of meat that he did not purchase, when the victim, who is an armed security guard,
confronted him. A struggle ensued between the suspect and the victim. The victim
attempted to stop the suspect by spraying him with pepper spray, but the wind caused the pepper spray to splash back in the victim's face. The suspect then punched the victim in the face, causing the victim to stagger backward. The suspect stepped toward the victim to continue assaulting him, at which time the victim drew his firearm and fired shots at the suspect, striking him once in the ankle. The suspect was conveyed to a hospital and treated and released. Upon being released, the suspect was taken into custody. The
investigation is ongoing.